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How to use cyanuric acid in a swimming pool. Last Updated: 08/12/2010 |
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CYANURIC ACID: Chlorine tablets and granular chlorine are the two most commonly used forms of chlorine. These two forms of chlorine are classified as Cyanurates, which simply means they contain Cyanuric Acid as an ingredient. Cyanuric Acid is a chemical that protects chlorine from being destroyed by the sun. Since chlorine is so susceptible to the sun's ultraviolet rays, Cyanuric Acid is a necessary ingredient. Although chlorine tablets and granular chlorine contain some Cyanuric Acid as an ingredient, the amount contained is merely a trace. Therefore, chlorine users will have to add Cyanuric Acid periodically. Cyanuric Acid is typically packaged and sold as either "Conditioner" or "Stabilizer," depending on the manufacturer. Cyanuric Acid ("Conditioner" or "Stabilizer") will definitely need to be added after a pool is drained, cleaned and refilled, as the tap water that is used to refill your pool contains almost no Cyanuric Acid. If there are just trace amounts of Cyanuric Acid in the pool water, then it does not matter how much chlorine (or shock) is added. The majority of it will be destroyed by the sun. The recommended ideal range for Cyanuric Acid is between 30-80 ppm. The recommended reading is close to 40 ppm as being ideal. 40 ppm is high enough to prevent the sun from destroying chlorine's effectiveness. Since chlorine tablets and granular chlorine are CYANURATES, a trace amount of Cyanuric Acid is added to the water as chlorine is continually added to the pool. Eventually then, the Cyanuric Acid reading will eclipse 100 ppm (maximum that is accepted), which will cause your pool to hold too strong of a continual chlorine reading. There is no chemical to reduce Cyanuric Acid. It can only be reduced by either partially or completely draining the pool. |